There is renewed energy flowing through the corridors of PN HQ in Pietá. Certainly, a lot of it is due to the election of Alex Borg as new leader of the Nationalist Party. However, I trust this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, and while the election of the new leader has proven to be a catalyst in itself, it has already managed to breathe new life through the structures and bodies of the party, injecting enthusiasm that is already being felt.
Naturally, I wish the very best to Alex on his election, as I believe he brings with him an arsenal of talent that will surely allow the Nationalist Party to reach out further than ever before. My gratitude is also addressed at Adrian Delia who once again showed unrivalled loyalty to the party, as well as Bernard Grech for his years of service.
This energy coincides with the opening of Parliament, after the summer recess. It is a powerful moment of unity and determination as the PN sets its course ambitiously forward. In fact, it is the perfect time to embrace the opportunities ahead with optimism and focus.
The timing is particularly significant, with the upcoming Budget for 2026 just around the corner. With this in all probability being the ‘election budget’, we have every reason to believe that government will once again splash out on freebies and handouts, in an attempt of appeasing the electorate in the short term.
I believe that Maltese families have had enough of this brand of politics and can see clearly through the short-term solutions and offensive cheques posted home. The issues that are being faced by our families are not solved with €70 tokens, or a flashy billboard campaign. It takes a new way of thinking to come up with the long term, out-of-the box solutions needed to address challenges which Labour governments have swept under the rug for many years.
The Nationalist Party is committed to ensuring that national priorities are addressed with fairness, sustainability, transparency and vision.
Unfortunately, as we have seen throughout the years, Robert Abela and his Ministers have no idea of the meaning of this. They are busier dishing out direct orders, putting under-qualified and grossly incompetent individuals at the helm of important agencies to the detriment of entire sectors, splashing out irresponsibly on public funds, and picking stupid battles on social media when they should know better.
Malta deserves a budget that looks beyond short-term measures and provides the groundwork for long-term growth and prosperity.
Back to Parliament, I look forward to debating and contributing to important legislation such as the infamous Bills 143 and 144 on planning which as everyone is aware by now, Government attempted to pass by stealth on the eve of Santa Maria.
These bills are a serious and unprecedented threat to every aspect of our environment, granting unchecked powers to the Planning Authority placing it above any other law. Not to mention how our heritage, under the proposed legislation, will likely lose the protection afforded to it so far.
We all know how when someone with the right surname and connections is intent on developing a piece of land, no matter how many cart ruts or Heritage-sensitive discoveries are made, nothing is likely to stop them. With the proposed changes, this will become a foregone conclusion once and for all.
Just as shocking as the recent Fortina land valuation revelations, which were hidden from Parliament, resulting in a 60% discount, at the expense of the taxpayer. We simply cannot continue to discover one scandalous under-the-table deal after another, like it is normal. This is not normal. This is not normal.
Our authorities must truly have the taxpayer’s interest. They must safeguard our quality of life, our environment, and the country’s resources.
In Parliament, I will continue to champion issues that I truly believe in and are at heart. The arts, national heritage, film, and the rights of artists. Malta’s culture and creativity should not be peripheral concerns to politics; they are central to who we are as a people. They are what make us human, rational animals, who have the ability to create and express ourselves. These central pillars of the human condition deserve to be enshrined, protected, nurtured, and celebrated as an essential part of our national vision.
This summer, I had the privilege of meeting people during feasts across the country. It was a great pleasure to rekindle old friendships, meet new friends, celebrate our communities and learn more about the passions that make us tick.
These encounters reaffirmed my belief in the strength and importance of our communities, how enriching it is to listen to people’s hopes and concerns and bringing these voices with me into Parliament. Rest assured that you will all be with me on those green benches!
As the PN embarks on this new beginning, I am determined to work with my colleagues and citizens alike, to ensure that our politics reflect the aspirations of our people. Unity, optimism, and purpose must guide us, even when the going gets tough, and when we need to call a spade a spade. This is the quality leap we must make, as we take on the challenges of the day, for a bright tomorrow.
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